Tanzania Calving Season Safari
A seasonal private safari focused on Ndutu’s wildebeest calving herds and the predators that gather around them.
Adapt this safari to my datesTimed for the southern Serengeti calving season
Between late December and March, migration herds gather across Ndutu in the southern Serengeti ecosystem, before the route continues to Ngorongoro.
- Ndutu calving herds
- Cheetah and lion activity
- Seasonal photography
- Private game drives
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Flexible camp locations
The strongest calving-season window
The sequence and camp locations are adjusted to your travel month, current wildlife reports and available rooms.
Herds arrive
Season builds
Calving begins
Predators gather
Peak calving
Exceptional sightings
Herds disperse
Route adapts
Day-by-day itinerary
This route is a starting point. Nights, camps and activities can all be adjusted.
Day 1Tarangire National Park
8:00 am pick up from accommodation in Arusha by your guide and depart for Tarangire National park to spend the afternoon game viewing. This evening we have the opportunity for a night game drive offering a different dimension of game viewing as we search for nocturnal wanderers. Dinner and overnight at Boundary Hill Lodge
Day 2Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, we have the opportunity for a morning walking safari, after refreshing we make our way to Lake Manyara National Park with a picnic lunch for game viewing. Late afternoon we leave the park and make our way to Karatu for dinner and overnight at Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge
Day 3Ndutu Plains NCAA
After breakfast we depart for Serengeti, climbing The Great Rift Valley escarpment and transit through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, driving through to the Seronera plains. Game viewing en-route to the northern section of Serengeti as we search for the great migration. Dinner and overnight at Ndutu Pure Migration Tented Camp.
Day 4Ndutu Plains NCAA
Full day exploring the northern section of Serengeti National Park in search of the great migration, this day is flexible in that we can either take a picnic lunch or early morning and late afternoon game drives and lunch within the camp. Dinner and overnight at Ndutu Pure Migration Tented Camp.
Day 5Serengeti National Park
Morning game viewing with picnic lunch as we make our way towards central Serengeti arriving for late afternoon for dinner and overnight at Serengeti Pure Luxury tented Camp.
Day 6Ngorongoro Highlands
After breakfast, we enjoy our final morning exploring Serengeti National Park with a picnic lunch. Afternoon we depart for Naabi Hill gate and enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area where we have the opportunity to stretch the legs during a crater rim walk with an NCAA ranger. Late evening we make our way to Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge for dinner and overnight
Day 7Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast this morning we descend the crater rim for game viewing on the crater floor with a picnic lunch. Afterward, we ascend the 600m high crater walls and depart for Arusha or Kilimanjaro for onward connections. Recommend booking evening flight departing after 18:00.
Choose the level that suits you
We are not tied to particular camps. Recommendations are based on location, guiding, atmosphere and current value for your dates.
Classic
Comfortable, characterful tented camps and lodges in strong wildlife locations.
Explore Classic SafariLuxury
High-quality camps with excellent locations, polished service and added comfort.
Explore Luxury SafariUltra-luxury
Outstanding camps, private experiences and seamless logistics using the finest available options.
Typically included
- Private 4WD safari vehicle
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Accommodation and meals as proposed
- Park and conservation fees
- Unlimited game-drive kilometres
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Usually not included
- International flights and visas
- Travel and medical insurance
- Premium drinks and personal purchases
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities not in the proposal
Local knowledge, private guiding and three decades of experience
Adapt this Calving Season Safari to your dates
Tell us your travel window and wildlife priorities. We’ll check current herd reports and the best available Ndutu camps.
Plan My Private Safari